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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
Acceptability of Self-sampling in Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic acid based Cervical Screening in Nepal: A
S Shakya1, B Paneru2, S Uprety1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
Background Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal. Traditionally, healthcare professionals collect cervical specimens for Human Papillomavirus testing. Still, many women prefer self-collection, allowing them to sample in the comfort of their homes. Self-sampling has shown promise in other countries, but its acceptability in Nepal remains unexplored. Objective To assess the acceptability of Human papillomavirus self-sampling among women in Nepal. Method This community based single arm implementation study was conducted from 5 February 2021 to 17 July 2022 using mixed methods approach. For Cervical Cancer Screening, 1625 women aged 30-60 years were recruited and vaginal samples were collected using self-sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected by assessing sociodemographic, sexual and reproductive characteristics, awareness on cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination, and acceptability. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews among 31 participants. Descriptive data were reported using frequencies and percentages. In-depth interviews were transcribed and coded using inductive and deductive methods. Result Among 1625 participants, 74% agreed to self-sample for screening. Among them, 98% found it easy to understand the directions to collect vaginal swabs, 96% reported ease in using a brush for sample collection, 89.6% found it painless and comfortable, 19.2% were afraid of hurting themselves while using the brush. Only 5.3% women felt embarrassed while self-collecting the sample. Qualitative results support these findings. Conclusion Increase cervical cancer screening participation rate with positive response towards self-screening indicates that Human papillomavirus self-sampling methods have potential to increase screening uptake, and achieve the national target of 70% screening coverage.
Background Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Nepal. Traditionally, healthcare professionals collect cervical specimens for Human Papillomavirus testing. Still, many women prefer self-collection, allowing them to sample in the comfort of their homes. Self-sampling has shown promise in other countries, but its acceptability in Nepal remains unexplored. Objective To assess the acceptability of Human papillomavirus self-sampling among women in Nepal. Method This community based single arm implementation study was conducted from 5 February 2021 to 17 July 2022 using mixed methods approach. For Cervical Cancer Screening, 1625 women aged 30-60 years were recruited and vaginal samples were collected using self-sampling technique. Quantitative data were collected by assessing sociodemographic, sexual and reproductive characteristics, awareness on cervical cancer and human papillomavirus vaccination, and acceptability. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews among 31 participants. Descriptive data were reported using frequencies and percentages. In-depth interviews were transcribed and coded using inductive and deductive methods. Result Among 1625 participants, 74% agreed to self-sample for screening. Among them, 98% found it easy to understand the directions to collect vaginal swabs, 96% reported ease in using a brush for sample collection, 89.6% found it painless and comfortable, 19.2% were afraid of hurting themselves while using the brush. Only 5.3% women felt embarrassed while self-collecting the sample. Qualitative results support these findings. Conclusion Increase cervical cancer screening participation rate with positive response towards self-screening indicates that Human papillomavirus self-sampling methods have potential to increase screening uptake, and achieve the national target of 70% screening coverage.